Hacking Windows XP: Hacking Windows Explorer

The information that Explorer looks up to find which program should be used to launch a specific file type is stored in the system registry under the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT section. Using the Registry Editor, it is possible to browse to that key and find the file type that you want to change and edit some keys, but there is a much easier way in Windows XP to accomplish the same task.

Hidden away in Folder Options within any Explorer window resides a useful utility to change the default application easily without having to worry about application ID’s and file association structure. Just follow the steps below to change any File Types default launch app:

Open up My Computer by clicking on the desktop icon or on the icon in the Start panel.

When you have My Computer displayed on your screen, click on the Tools menu bar item and select Folder Options.

Once the Folder Options window appears, click on the File Types tab.

Navigate through the list of file extensions until you find the extension of the file that you want to change the default app for. Since I want to change my MP3 player default launch app, I am going to select the MP3 file extension. When you find the file extension that you want to change, select it by clicking on it.

Click the Change button once you have your extension selected, as shown in Figure 5-1. The Open With properties window will load, asking you what program to load it with. It will show a list of common programs that you can choose from but you are not limited to just those program. Click the Browse button to navigate to any executable file on your computer to specify exactly what program you want to use if it is not on the list.

Once you have the application selected that you want to use, just click the OK button to save your changes. You are now finished with changing the launch app.

Figure 5-1

Your changes to file launch apps are activated immediately after you click OK to save your changes. Now you will no longer have to worry about applications taking control over your files. Continued…

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Copyright 1996-2016 Ziff Davis, LLC.PCMag Digital Group All Rights Reserved. ExtremeTech is a registered trademark of Ziff Davis, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis, LLC. is prohibited.